70 Patrick Street, Cork - Victorian era public domain image
These are the premises of the legendary Guy's of Cork - photographers, stationers, and publishers of Guy's Cork Almanacs and Directories. At no. 69 to the left is Allen, a drapers perhaps as a sign in the windo... More
"... a foot in foreground" = Ruins of Olderfleet Castle, Larne
Hope none of you are eyeing the foreground uneasily to search for a severed limb, but in our catalogue, this image is titled: "Road approaching village, ruin to right, side-car, tourist party, a foot in foregro... More
Glendalough before Round Tower was restored
Side cars, or perhaps more correctly, Jaunting Cars at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. We knew this was taken between 1860 and 1883, and the "bare headed" Round Tower has helped us to date it more accurately, as dera... More
79 Grafton Street..., Leinster, Ireland
... was the Dublin School of Photography and Studio of Frederick Holland Mares.This gives us a much narrower dating window for this one than 1860-1883, as Mares moved to 118 Grafton Street ( http://jacolette.wo... More
Merchants Quay, Newry. Northern Ireland
Ships on the canal at Merchants Quay in Newry, alongside a nice brace of merchants' premises...Date: 1870s? (but definitely between 1860 and 1883)..NLI Ref.: STP_1179 ( STP_1179 )
"possibly outside railway station"? No, it's Woodside Skating Rink!
Does this location look familiar to anyone? Our catalogue information says "... possibly outside railway station"...Plus I'm wondering is that scaffolding or a railing on roof of the large establishment with th... More
Bangor Castle I - Public domain image of steamship
Paddle steamer Bangor Castle en fête for some big event! We don't know where this was taken. Can just make out ...KLOW at extreme left on the prow of the steamer behind the Bangor Castle...Date: 1860-1883..NLI ... More
Out standing in his own field? - stereoscopic view, public domain phot...
We don't often get the chance to admire the Stereo Pairs Collection so it is great to be able to do so! This noble statue of a man on a plinth complete with a globe in a very fine setting should provoke some i... More
Small church with square battlemented tower in graveyard, showing grav...
With a catalogue heading such as that above, identifying this church should perhaps be a doddle(?) On the morning of the winter solstice, the true new year perhaps, we can look forward to longer days, brighter... More
Statue of Frederick, east of Belfast, d.1858, College Square, Belfast,...
A Stereo Pairs image today and a fine example of how a typo by a cataloguer can send the innocent researcher off on a wild good chase. This time into the waves of the Irish Sea :) "Frederick, east of Belfast" ... More
"Unidentified castle on seashore" is Blackrock Castle
This somehow familiar (yet so far unidentified) castle on the shore of the sea or an estuary is todays fare. I know I've seen it before, and have an idea where it might be, but I would be guessing. Whereas it ... More
"Unidentified photograph from the Stereo-pair collection" is Theatre R...
This fine, multi storey, building with a Royal coat of arms on the pediment should be readily identifiable - yet it remains labelled as unidentified in the NLI archives. Now is the chance to begin the week on ... More
"Large public building, railings, steps, 6 columns in portico, 2 guns ...
Another stereo pair image in single format for better viewing! This fine building defended by two unworkable cannon on high plinths looks very impressive and imposing whereever it may be. A nice way to end th... More
"Church ruins with pointed arches" is Kildare Cathedral
"Church ruins with pointed arches and 3 light window adjoining maintained, or possibly modern, square tower, glazed windows"..When is a Stereo Pair not a Stereo Pair? When someone cuts it in two and shows it a... More
Howth Harbour and Irelands Eye - stereoscopic view, public domain phot...
A visit to the Stereo Pairs Collection today lets us stay in Howth, and gives a view of the area that perhaps neither you nor I has ever seen in reality. Today's fashionable suburb of Dublin is seen in its rus... More
Close-up of doorway of large, cruciform, modern romanesque church (is ...
A double image of a double door in a church somewhere in Ireland. Given the extreme age of the stereo pairs collection some of the images, such as this one, are remarkably clear and 'new' looking!..Early colla... More
A strange and somehow familiar building - is Sligo Townhall
This very fine Stereo Pairs image of a familiar building shows it in great detail and clarity in a way that we will probably never see it again? I love the windows in particular and the imposing majesty of the... More
A Belfast scene! - Public domain botanical illustration
The full title/description for this shot was too long and confusing for use on a Monday morning so I summarised it slightly :) A Belfast scene with lots to view and plenty of life going on. It immediately bro... More
Buckingham Palace, London (with French sub-titles)
A rare visit to the Stereo Pairs collection takes us out foreign, to Bucks House no less and the "Picture Gallery". The titles as inserted on the slide are in French which may raise questions as to its provena... More
"Bridge of three arches over river in foreground" is Portadown
The somewhat long catalogue label for this image is "Bridge of three arches over river in foreground, street with terraces of chequered front houses in middle ground". While I must admit this seems desperately ... More
Gothic style institutional building, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
This building looks quite new. The catalogue says Dublin City and it does look familiar to me, but I have the distinct impression that something is missing. The chimney "sweeper" has had his way with this one ... More
Y-junction with people - is Newcastle, County Down
"Y-junction with people, wooded and bare hills in background mile post '4 miles' outside large suburban style villa at junction"..After declaring "Over to you!", another look at the mile post (via megazoom) sug... More
"Man and 5 children posed about felled tree in foreground.; in backgro...
Today we have a carefully posed shot with boys sprinkled like raisins in a currant bun and a man, a teacher perhaps, sitting on a tree! In the background is what appears to be an enormous institutional type of... More
A meeting of waters... is Belleek, Co. Fermanagh
This beautiful scene with a stream joining a larger river just above a bridge makes a scene that many photographers would love to shoot today!..With thanks especially today to the keen eyes and memory of O Mac ... More
Modern Gothic church in open country, square tower and spire, statue o...
This morning to start the Christmas season we open with a church described as "Modern Gothic". It looks a solid construction and of dark limestone, but we hadn't confirmed the location...With thanks especially... More
"Long shot sea, hills in background, 2 Constables and 2 others at step...
Delighted to have this early close-up of two R.I.C. Constables, even if one of them has come over all manly and shy and is presenting us with his profile...Where was this taken? Do you know?..Date: 1860-1883..N... More
Sad eyes or scary eyes?, Donegal, Ireland
Never quite sure about this one - are the old woman's eyes full of sadness, or is she muttering ancient incantations behind her fingers? Either way, she's very compelling...We weren't sure about which or where ... More
Mystery of the Missing Minerva! Turns out she now lives under the Angl...
This was the entrance arch to Leinster House (next door to Library Towers) back in the days when it was home to the Royal Dublin Society, whose original collections formed the basis of ours here at the National... More
Horse-drawn Omnibus, Westmoreland Street, Dublin
Today we have the battle of the horse-drawn tram versus omnibus photos. It's Cork ( nlireland/9003944871 ) (the real capital of Ireland?) versus Dublin (the real capital of Ireland!)...Which is the best image?... More
"… informally inscribed rock …" = An Chloch Mhór / The Big Stone
... as it says in our catalogue, or graffiti as we'd call it! We were fairly happy this was somewhere near Rostrevor, Co. Down (and thanks to Tin of beans for confirming that), but found it irresistible either ... More
Whilst here of pleasure you partake…
… One penny give for Jesus' sake..A bit of an odd one for you today. Any hope of finding out where this well was? Probably not a Holy Well, despite the religious lines and biblical reference? Perhaps in the gro... More
Any knives need sharpening, Mrs?
Thrilled to spot this mobile cutler! Either he's Mr Burns or he worked for Burns, Cutler...Didn't know where this was, and in fact, thought it might be somewhere in Co. Down, but derangedlemur identified it in ... More
Auld Reekie, Edinburgh, Scotland
We haven't been "out foreign" for a while, so thought we might take a quick jaunt over to Edinburgh…..From what I can make out, these are the establishments:. Dickson's Refreshments at no. 10.The Black Bul... More
The Abbey, Sligo aka Dominican Friary
Asked if anyone had any idea as to where this was (for once I did know something you didn't know, but thought you might like a challenge). However, ccferrie despatched this one in 21 minutes!..Clockwise from to... More
We're a Couple of Swells - Two men standing next to a statue in front ...
Two gentlemen admire the statue of Edmund Burke outside Trinity College Dublin... ..Date: Between Tuesday, 21 April 1868 (unveiling) and circa 1870. ..NLI Ref: STP_1257 ( vtls000564570 ) . .You can also view t... More
Blackall and McDonagh, Athenry, Galway, Ireland
We had no idea where this was, so many thanks to Leonard Bentley ( nlireland/8651631526/#comment72157633251700922 ) for identifying it as St. Mary's Church, Athenry, Co. Galway!..It first caught my attention b... More
D.I.Y. High Cross, Athenry, Galway, Ireland
Bizarre construction altogether that can be seen here too ( nlireland/8651631526 ) . Did the plinth operate as a market stall?..We had no idea where this was, so many thanks to Leonard Bentley ( nlireland/86516... More
Bangor Castle I - Public domain image of steamship
Paddle steamer Bangor Castle en fête for some big event! We don't know where this was taken. Can just make out ...KLOW at extreme left on the prow of the steamer behind the Bangor Castle...Date: 1860-1883..NLI ... More
Shooting Seals on Achill Island
Three men posing around a dead seal - not much mystery here as to who the suspects are!..Thought that this was taken at one of the Seal Caves at Doogort on Achill Island, Co. Mayo, but it's great to have confir... More
The London Clown Cricketers are coming!
Knew there was no way we couldn't date this - how often did the London Clown Cricketers come to the Munster Hall and Mardyke Cricket Ground? (At the very least thought there'd be newspaper reports of mothers lo... More
Very Grand Stands, Leinster, Ireland
This is almost certainly where our Dandies from Friday ( nlireland/8412718703 ) were headed, or headed home from (bad grammar, but you know what I mean) - a race meeting at Punchestown - very distinctive stand... More
Roulette Wheel, Leinster, Ireland
Looks as if the woman with her back to the camera was operating a roulette wheel at this race meeting at Punchestown...Plus, wouldn't it be lovely if that picnic was clearer?..Date: Circa 1868..NLI Ref: STP_11... More
Black Church, Leinster, Ireland
Gentlemen at the Black Church Hotel in Kildare. We're fairly sure they were heading to or from a race meeting at Punchestown (see Very Grand Stands ( nlireland/8422393425/ ) and Roulette Wheel? ( nlireland/842... More
Shop Street, Drogheda, Leinster, Ireland
This is from our Stereoscopic Collection, which was bought over by William Lawrence in Dublin, and then came to us. The photographers involved were James Simonton and Frederick Holland Mares...It looks as if on... More
Weir on the River Dodder below Orwell Bridge
This snowy and icy scene from Rathgar in Dublin was also requested by Niall McAuley ( gnmcauley/ ) as he thinks he used to play around this area as a child...Wondered if perhaps we'd be able to date this photo... More
Pub, building in street with hexagonal tower? Sligo Courthouse!
Well, the title in our catalogue more or less accurately described this one, but where was it? Thanks to the aptly named derangedlemur ( 8468254@N02 ) , we now know this was the Court House in Sligo Town...The ... More
Fire Engine No. 9 or Dust Cart no. 9?
This is the long vista of the South Mall in Cork...Is this a really early fire engine filling up from a hydrant? Or is there another explanation why No. 9 needed water?..Date: 1871-1883..NLI Ref: STP_0972 ( vt... More
Countynstables!. Northern Ireland
Found a typo in the title of this one! It reads: Steep street with Countynstables to centre of town with green land etc near sea. However, still think that Countynstables would have made a good name for a count... More
"... a foot in foreground" = Ruins of Olderfleet Castle, Larne
Hope none of you are eyeing the foreground uneasily to search for a severed limb, but in our catalogue, this image is titled: "Road approaching village, ruin to right, side-car, tourist party, a foot in foregro... More
Guano.... Northern Ireland
... and I'm not being rude - have a look at the posters in the hardware shop for Phospho Guano!..We don't know where this was taken, maybe up north? There's a tantalising street sign on the edge of the terrace ... More
Bridge over untroubled water, Leinster, Ireland
Spooky quality about this one, between the ruins and the bridge and the water… Also rather an odd mix in the group atop the bridge - rich, or at least well-to-do young women, alongside barefoot children.....We ... More
"Natural rock bridge"? Madman's Window in Antrim!
Didn't know if this one might be too much of a toughie (technical term) but we wanted to know where this gentleman was sitting.....And robinparkes ( 13073434@N03/ ) supplied the answer - Madman's Window at Gle... More
Full stereoscopic image of St. Paul's Cathedral, London
Following all of the fun and games yesterday, with "half" of this stereoscopic image, whatsthatpicture ( whatsthatpicture/ ) asked if I would upload the pair, so that he could "wiggle it" like this one ( whats... More
On the rooftops of London. Coo, what a sight!
With the weather being a bit grim in Ireland today, thought we might go all Mary Poppins and take ourselves off over to London for a change...Can't identify any individual business except for Stokes Leather War... More
"... small modern church ..." = Trinity Church near Glengarriff!
I guess that "modern" is a relative term. This was taken between 1860 and 1883, and is described as a "small modern church" in our catalogue. It seemed to be on a tidal estuary, but otherwise we had no clue as ... More
"possibly outside railway station"? No, it's Woodside Skating Rink!
Does this location look familiar to anyone? Our catalogue information says "... possibly outside railway station"...Plus I'm wondering is that scaffolding or a railing on roof of the large establishment with th... More
Any ideas? Yes! St. Doulagh's Church on the Malahide Road, Dublin
We didn't know where this one was taken. Our catalogue just said:."Square tower set in steep slated roof of small possibly ecclesiastical building, lady in foreground, whole in trees, fields."..See below for su... More
Mystery Market = Grattan Square, Dungarvan!
We had no idea where this market place was, but mogey ( mogey/ ) recognised it in record time as being Grattan Square in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford!..We have the National Bank on one corner, and Charles McCarthy... More
Stephen's Green, Dublin - Victorian era public domain image
This corner in Dublin is relatively unchanged, I think. Wish it were possible to make out some of the business names along the left side, but they're just too unclear...Fascinating to see so many women using um... More
"Ruin tower and house adjoining other walls" = Carrigogunnell Castle!
Far be it from us at Library Towers to let people rest on their laurels, and as our original fiendish Mwahaha (evil laughter) ( nlireland/7175343398/ ) was finally solved yesterday after 10 months, I had hoped... More
North Quay, Drogheda, Leinster, Ireland
The lure of the sea called to me again when I saw these gorgeous ships. But for those of you tired of maritime magnificence, there are some great businesses to be seen here too and the railway viaduct in the di... More
Sackville Street from Carlisle Bridge
Or O'Connell Street from O'Connell Bridge as we'd know it today. Chose this shot for its unusual low level angle on this street, and because it's so deserted - taken very early in the morning?..This was taken b... More
"Mock Gothic Castle in parkland" = Johnstown Castle, Wexford!
It certainly does look Mock Gothic, but we didn't have a name for this castle until today. I'd looked at some of the usual suspects around the country but couldn't find a match. Now thanks to franmol ( franmoll... More
Leprechaun?, Leinster, Ireland
We're indebted to beachcomberaustralia ( beachcomberaustralia/ ) for this very rare Leprechaun sighting (admittedly not yet officially authenticated)...Date: 1860s?..NLI Ref.: STP_2878 ( STP_2878 )
The Bomb Font. Northern Ireland
At least that's what it's called on our catalogue, and you can see why. This "font" was photographed at St. Columb's Cathedral in Derry City. The text reads:..ANO DO.1633..CAR REGIS.9..IN TEMPLO.VERVS DEVS.EST.... More
Cross of Muiredach, Leinster, Ireland
This is the very famous 9th/10th century high cross at Monasterboice in Co. Louth...Thanks to beachcomberaustralia ( beachcomberaustralia/ ) for this Wikipedia article ( http://Muiredach's_High_Cross#West-face... More
Glendalough before Round Tower was restored
Side cars, or perhaps more correctly, Jaunting Cars at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. We knew this was taken between 1860 and 1883, and the "bare headed" Round Tower has helped us to date it more accurately, as dera... More
Merchants Quay, Newry. Northern Ireland
Ships on the canal at Merchants Quay in Newry, alongside a nice brace of merchants' premises...Date: 1870s? (but definitely between 1860 and 1883)..NLI Ref.: STP_1179 ( STP_1179 )
S.S. Adolphine, Leinster, Ireland
The sailing ship Adolphine moored at the Custom House in Dublin, with a swivel bridge in the foreground. There are posters advertising Pleasure Trips to Lambay Island that also say "William Hall" - hardly the n... More
Winter Waterfall, Leinster, Ireland
Stereoscopic view of an icy, and in parts frozen, Powerscourt Waterfall, Co. Wicklow...Date: Circa 1875..NLI Ref.: STP_1093 ( STP_1093 )
Barque - stereoscopic view, public domain photorpaph
Double view of this lovely vessel tied up at the Old Cork City Hall in Cork city. This Old City Hall was destroyed in the burning of Cork, 1920...Date: Circa 1875..NLI Ref.: STP_0293 ( STP_0293 )
Giant's Causeway, Co. Antrim - stereoscopic view, public domain photor...
Almost lunar landscape feel to this Giant's Causeway shot, until you spot the gentleman in the foreground...Date: Circa 1875..NLI Ref.: STP_0212 ( STP_0212 )
Ross Castle, Killarney, Co. Kerry
Ross Castle was built around the late 15th century, and is now a heritage site ( http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/South-West/RossCastle/ ) open to visit from March to October...Date: Circa 1875..NLI Ref.: STP_... More
Colosseum, Rome - stereoscopic view, public domain photorpaph
Date: Circa 1875..NLI Ref.: STP_0429 ( STP_0429 ) Public domain photograph of 19th-century stereoscopic card, Italy, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Devil's Glen Waterfall, Co. Wicklow
Date: Circa 1875..NLI Ref.: STP_0017 ( STP_0017 ) Public domain photograph of stereoscopic card, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Long shot high angle docks basin, Wellesley bridge of 5 arches and nav...
Photograph taken between ca. 1860 and 1890..After contributions from O Mac ( /photos/91549360@N03/ ) , Niall McAuley ( /photos/gnmcauley/ ) and Tonyheaney ( /photos/43927621@N02/ ) there is consensus that thi... More
Friary ruins, thatched cabins in foreground, Askeaton, Limerick
Photograph taken between ca. 1860 and 1890..Format: glass negative..Part of: National Library of Ireland ( http://www.nli.ie ) Collection..NLI Ref: STP_1626 ( vtls000564941 )
Castle and bridge, row-boat with six people, in foreground, Bunratty, ...
Photograph taken between 1860 and 1890 ..Format: glass negative..Part of: National Library of Ireland ( http://www.nli.ie ) Stereo Pairs Collection...For more photographs in this collection see National Librar... More
Cliffs of Moher, Cliffs of Moher, Clare
Photograph taken between 1860 and 1890..Format: glass negative..Part of: National Library of Ireland ( http://www.nli.ie ) Stereo Pairs Collection...For more photographs in this collection see National Library... More
Cliffs of Moher, Cliffs of Moher, Clare
Photograph taken between 1860 and 1890..Format: glass negative..Part of: National Library of Ireland ( http://www.nli.ie ) Stereo Pairs Collection...For more photographs in this collection see National Library... More
Cliffs of Moher, Clare - stereoscopic view, public domain photorpaph
Photograph taken between 1860 and 1890..Format: glass negative..Part of: National Library of Ireland ( http://www.nli.ie ) Stereo Pairs Collection...For more photographs in this collection see National Library ... More
Cliffs of Moher, Cliffs of Moher, Clare
Photograph taken between 1860 and 1890..Format: glass negative..Part of: National Library of Ireland ( http://www.nli.ie ) Stereo Pairs Collection...For more photographs in this collection see National Library... More
Auld Reekie, Edinburgh, Scotland
We haven't been "out foreign" for a while, so thought we might take a quick jaunt over to Edinburgh…..From what I can make out, these are the establishments:. Dickson's Refreshments at no. 10.The Black Bul... More
Sad eyes or scary eyes?, Donegal, Ireland
Never quite sure about this one - are the old woman's eyes full of sadness, or is she muttering ancient incantations behind her fingers? Either way, she's very compelling...We weren't sure about which or where ... More
"Bridge of one rounded arch over river in woods, seven bosses round ar...
I actually make it 8 or 9 bosses as some are hidden by plant growth, but either way, do any of you know where this fairy tale bridge is?..Date: 1863-1880..NLI Ref: STP_2258 ( vtls000565578 ) . .You can also vi... More
Horse-drawn tram, Patrick Street, Cork
Today we have the battle of the horse-drawn tram versus omnibus photos. It's Cork (the real capital of Ireland?) versus Dublin ( nlireland/9005122884 ) (the real capital of Ireland!)...Which is the best image?... More
Dublin, but where? Main Street in Blackrock!
Hoped this would strike one of you as familiar immediately, but the streetscape and church tower were not ringing bells for me (if you'll pardon the pun). Tin of beans solved the mystery in jig time - this is M... More
"… informally inscribed rock …" = An Chloch Mhór / The Big Stone
... as it says in our catalogue, or graffiti as we'd call it! We were fairly happy this was somewhere near Rostrevor, Co. Down (and thanks to Tin of beans for confirming that), but found it irresistible either ... More
Whilst here of pleasure you partake…
… One penny give for Jesus' sake..A bit of an odd one for you today. Any hope of finding out where this well was? Probably not a Holy Well, despite the religious lines and biblical reference? Perhaps in the gro... More
Any knives need sharpening, Mrs?
Thrilled to spot this mobile cutler! Either he's Mr Burns or he worked for Burns, Cutler...Didn't know where this was, and in fact, thought it might be somewhere in Co. Down, but derangedlemur identified it in ... More